[EBH]

Nice of her to reward them with them honor.

Whoa...she is doing nothing of the sort. Those "honors" are not bestowed by her. She holds no authority in the matter. She only has to tolerate their presence, be gracious, and smile. That honor comes from the President. Look to this speech to be a huge re-establishment effort of his cult personality hype.

[Earthdweller]

Of course I expect Obama to mention them by name...which is fitting. And yes..I would expect that Mrs. Obama does have the say in who will be sitting next to her. They could have been seated elsewhere.